WASHINGTON,
DC, November 10, 2004 – ICF
Consulting noted today that companies in the United
States are at a competitive disadvantage as companies
in the rest of the world take action to become Kyoto
compliant. These changes in the business environment
have been brought on by Russia’s
ratification of the Kyoto Protocol,
which the United States declined to sign. To comply,
companies around the world will reduce their emissions
and sell lower-impact carbon products. U.S. companies
unprepared for these market changes stand to lose major
business opportunities. The Protocol is expected to be
the first of many steps that the international community
takes to address the increasing challenge of global climate
change.
"Investments by corporate America to improve
operating efficiency will have no value in the emerging
$5-10 billion-a-year global carbon credit market.
While U.S.-based companies with operations overseas
could take advantage of these market opportunities, many
do not understand the competitive implications of a carbon-constrained
global business environment," says Craig Ebert,
an ICF Consulting Managing Director who leads the firm’s
climate
strategy work.
"International competitors
are already moving aggressively to compete in a world
that will see increasingly stringent carbon constraints.
These companies realize that climate change will offer
both risks and opportunities to their businesses. They
are proactively working to reduce their own carbon
exposure and to develop and aggressively market climate
friendly products to give them a competitive advantage
in the global marketplace," says Mr. Ebert.
"The
pressure on companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions is intensifying now that the Kyoto Protocol
is entering into force. Countries are already evaluating
what emission limitations to impose in addition to Kyoto,
and even within the U.S., many states and regions are
taking action,” says
Mr. Ebert.
"European companies have already begun
to take the steps necessary for their businesses to prosper
in a carbon-constrained world. As many companies are
discovering, investments to reduce their GHG emissions
can improve their bottom line, as evidenced by BP which
has saved $650 million annually by aggressively reducing
its emissions," says
Abyd Karmali, director of ICF
Consulting’s London
Office. "GHG
constraints are already a reality for businesses internationally,
and investments to reduce emissions are valued in the
billions of dollars," says Mr. Karmali.
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ICF International (Nasdaq: ICFI) partners with government and commercial clients to deliver consulting services and technology solutions in the energy, environment, transportation, social programs, defense, and homeland security markets. The firm combines passion for its work with industry expertise and innovative analytics to produce compelling results throughout the entire program life cycle, from analysis and design through implementation and improvement. Since 1969, ICF has been serving government at all levels, major corporations, and multilateral institutions. More than 1,800 employees serve these clients worldwide. ICF’s Web site is http://www.icfi.com.
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Douglas Beck
1.703.934.3820
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